Flight time comparator system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method operating on a computer system connected to one or more internal and external databases for statistical analysis of externally collected data of aircraft movements (AM Data) to develop business intelligence to understand, forecast and/or confirm aircraft transactions, market activity, usage patterns, industry trends, development of new business, products and procedures as well as verify the accuracy of invoices, flight records, flight/duty logs, flight time invoiced, airport enplanements/usage, geographic/in-state usage, regulatory/operational compliance and aircraft records when compared with AM Data combined with computed flight times.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/779,927, filed on Feb. 28, 2013 and issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 10,297,160 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application generally relates to a system and method for the analysis of aircraft flights, and more particularly relates to such analysis based upon externally collected data about aircraft movements (AM Data, as defined below).

Aircraft advisors/consultants have used flight computers to individually calculate the estimated flight times of an aircraft type to verify flight time and performance. There is no system that has been designed to use multiple databases to conduct statistical analysis of externally collected data of aircraft movements (AM Data) to develop business intelligence to understand, forecast and/or confirm aircraft transactions, market activity, usage patterns, development of new business, products and procedures, industry trends, as well as verify the accuracy of invoices, flight records, flight/duty logs, flight time invoiced, airport enplanements/usage, geographic/in-state usage, regulatory/operational compliance and aircraft records when compared with AM Data combined with computed flight times. It would be useful to provide a means of solving one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY

Provided are a plurality of example embodiments, including, but not limited to, a system and method for statistical analysis of externally collected data of aircraft movements (AM Data) to develop business intelligence to understand, forecast and/or confirm aircraft transactions, market activity, usage patterns, development of new business, industry trends, products and procedures as well as verify the accuracy of invoices, flight records, flight/duty logs, flight time invoiced, airport enplanements/usage, geographic/in-state usage, regulatory/operational compliance and aircraft records when compared with AM Data combined with computed flight times.

Also provided is a method of using a computer system for verifying aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a user interface to said computer system for accepting         specific or proposed flight information about a flight for a         particular aircraft from a user;     -   retrieving aircraft information about the particular aircraft         from a first database;     -   retrieving geographical and/or weather information about a route         for the specific or proposed flight from a second database;     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         calculating derived flight information using said specific or         proposed flight information, said aircraft information, and said         geographical and/or weather information; and     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         generating a report utilizing said derived information, wherein         said report is output by said computer system.

Further provided is a method of using a computer system for verifying aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a user interface to said computer system for accepting         specific or proposed flight information about a flight for a         particular aircraft from a user;     -   inputting reported and/or projected flight information about the         flight;     -   retrieving historical information related to the specific or         proposed flight from a database;     -   retrieving aircraft information about the particular aircraft         from the database;     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         calculating derived flight information using said specific or         proposed flight information and said aircraft information;     -   reconciling said derived information with said reported and/or         projected flight information about the flight to identify         discrepancies, and wherein said report includes information         about said discrepancies; and     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         generating a report utilizing said derived information, wherein         said report is output by said computer system.

Still further provided is a method of using a computer system for verifying aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a user interface to said computer system for accepting         specific or proposed flight information about a flight for a         particular aircraft from a user;     -   inputting reported and/or projected flight information about the         flight;     -   retrieving historical information related to the specific or         proposed flight from a database;     -   retrieving aircraft information about the particular aircraft         from the database;     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         calculating derived flight information using said specific or         proposed flight information, said historical information, and         said aircraft information; and     -   using at least one computer of said computer system for         generating a report utilizing said derived information for         comparing with said reported and/or projected flight         information, wherein said report is output by said computer         system. Also provided are additional example embodiments, some,         but not all of which, are described hereinbelow in more detail.

Also provided are additional example embodiments, some, but not all of which, are described hereinbelow in more detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the example embodiments described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates upon reading the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the flow of data and processing of an example system;

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of an example hardware embodiment of the example system;

FIGS. 2-9 show flow charts of various example queries to which the system can respond;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic of the climb performance of an example aircraft

FIG. 11 shows example Log entries and the comparisons made to the AM Data and subsequent variations between the Flight Log as well as the road nights, duty hours and duty days calculated based on AM Data;

FIG. 12 shows example comparisons of AM Data with invoices and charges from a flight service provider;

FIG. 13 shows an example trip comparison with the same aircraft type & comparable aircraft types on the same trip;

FIG. 14 shows example Usage Pattern Variations;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic of an example geographic usage within South Carolina;

FIG. 15A shows an example table of In-State usage, In-state usage as a percentage of total annual usage and aircraft value;

FIG. 16 shows an example table showing example enplanements;

FIG. 17 shows an example of an invoice comparison table with AM Data for the Same Aircraft Type and Similar Aircraft Type;

FIG. 18 shows a schematic example where the system uses logic to identify required stops such as a fuel or technical stop; and

FIG. 19 shows a schematic example of an aircraft that was not in compliance with the regulations; the aircraft had two position reports below the Instrument Landing System's minimum altitude.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Provided is a system and methodology for the analysis of externally collected data about aircraft movements (AM Data). Provided is the glossary below for a better understanding of the terminology utilized in describing this system and methodology.

Glossary

-   -   AM Data: AM Data includes, for example, externally collected         and/or stored data about aircraft movements including but not         limited to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Traffic         Control (ATC), satellite global positioning system (GPS),         aircraft situation display to industry (ASDI), system wide         information management (SWIM), ground surveillance or any other         data sources for aircraft movement data (AM Data).     -   Flight Time Comparator (FTC): A system and methodology using,         for example, a software program developed to conduct statistical         analysis of externally collected and/or stored data of aircraft         movements (AM Data) to develop business intelligence to         understand, forecast and/or confirm aircraft transactions,         market activity, usage patterns, industry trends, development of         new business, products and procedures as well as verify the         accuracy of invoices, flight records, flight/duty logs, flight         time invoiced, airport enplanements/usage, geographic/in-state         usage, regulatory/operational compliance and aircraft records         when compared with AM Data combined with computed flight times.     -   ATC Data: This data is the record of actual flights taken as         tracked by and obtained from the FAA Air Traffic Control system         or any other method for tracking actual flights flown. ATC data         is an example of data that can be used as actual flight         information for evaluating and/or verifying reported flight         information using the system.     -   Target Trip: The specific flight under investigation, which may         be identified by a flight number, for example, identifying a         particular aircraft and/or particular flight source/destination.     -   Same Trip: Trip on the same route with like kind aircraft type         flown during the same season of any year. Since winds are         seasonal, a search during the same season of a different year         will be considered a Same Trip.     -   Target Aircraft: A specific aircraft (e.g., specific make and         model).     -   Fuel/Technical Stops: Intermediate stops before the intended         destination necessitated by regulation or aircraft performance.

Disclosed is at least one example embodiment of a Flight Time Comparator (FTC) method and system used to analyze AM Data, combined with related documents such as aircraft flight plans and passenger loads, and aircraft information about performance and capabilities of any particular aircraft (such as might be obtained from the manufacturer), among others, as a verification of a reported flight time and other parameters. These analyses would be used to verify reported aircraft information, which may include the information in aircraft flight logs, duty logs, pilot logs, invoices, aircraft records and/or flights over or within set geographic boundaries or time spent in certain geographic locations or airports (thereby supporting verification of geographical usage regulations, laws, or other requirements, such as appropriate payment of regional taxes). The example system will also calculate (derive) the estimated flight time based on aircraft performance, such as using algorithms combined with historic winds and other geographic and weather information. The example system will also check for aircraft information of similar flights of similar aircraft (e.g., Same Trip) for comparison of flight times and aircraft performance and to compare and verify documentation and reported information. The example system will also check for flight times of similar aircraft from nearby airports. The example system is designed to employ recorded or estimated (derived) flight times from available sources to verify, validate, substantiate or corroborate reported information such as past flight times under investigation or to forecast flight times for future flights or to find patterns in the data for business intelligence. The system can thus evaluate specific actual flights identified by specific flight information (e.g., a flight number, a flight category, flight date, or, e.g., a flight identified from a specific source airport to a specific destination airport and using a specific aircraft, which might be over a specific route), or it can evaluate proposed (hypothetical flights) for forecasting flights that might or maybe could occur.

The Flight Time Comparator (FTC) of an example system is implemented by using one or more software programs executing on an example system 1 having a hardware design as shown in FIG. 1A comprising system servers including collection and database servers 20, 22, and 24, connected to a user interface server 25 for providing employee interface 27 and optionally providing client interface 29 (when providing clients with direct access to the system), utilizing the external AM Data database 30 and alternative database 33.

FIG. 1 provides a flow chart defining the primary functions of the programs executing on the hardware of FIG. 1A, with the programs designed to implement the functions of FIG. 1, i.e., to statistically analyze 10 the input data (including, but not limited to, using such methods as data mining, Bayesian, swarm theory, chaos theory, regression, multiple regression, t-tests, analysis of variance (anova), or multivariate analysis of variance (manova)). This analysis can be performed on any form of externally collected data 5 providing information about aircraft movements (AM Data) such as but not limited to: FAA, Air Traffic Control (ATC), satellite, global positioning system (GPS), aircraft situation display to industry (ASDI), system wide information management (SWIM), ground surveillance or any other data sources for AM Data. The FTC will also combine this data with any other applicable data 5 available (such as, but not limited to, passenger loads, aircraft performance data, airport data, navigational aids (navaids), approach and departure procedures, aircraft values, aircraft transactions, market data, industry trends, geographical information (cities of origin, geographical areas flown over and durations, airport locations, cities of destination, etc.), weather, and aviation procedures) to understand, forecast and/or confirm patterns, performance and usage/variations in usage of an aircraft, aircraft owner(s), aircraft type(s), categories or groups of aircraft or all aircraft. The resulting actionable business intelligence 12 will be used in the development of new procedures, business development, trend analysis, and product development (such as but not limited to new aircraft and aviation equipment). The analytical engine 10 will provide flight time confirmation 13 and generate reports 15 including forecasts and comparisons 14 and support for auditing activities 16. Such reports can be provided in the form of web presentations served by the system 1, electronic reports (e.g., Acrobat), paper reports, or some other formats.

The software for supporting implementing the methodology can be executed on the example system 1 servers and/or other computers comprising any suitable computerized device comprising a processing component (e.g., a processor) and a computer readable medium may be utilized for providing the example servers and remote terminals. Generally, a computer usable or computer readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, platform, apparatus, or device. The computer usable medium may include a propagated data signal with the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to the Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF) or other means. The computer readable medium may comprise, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, database, or propagation medium. More specific examples of the computer readable medium would include, but are not limited to, a computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) which may be internal or external, permanent or removable, a compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) or random access memory (CDRAM), or any other tangible optical, electrical, magnetic, or other storage device; or storage found on transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, including temporary cache memory.

The software is comprised of computer program code for carrying out operations of the example embodiments (e.g., for providing the applications used by the system servers) may be written by conventional means using any computer language, including but not limited to, an interpreted or event driven language such as BASIC, Lisp, VBA, or VBScript, or a GUI embodiment such as visual basic, a compiled programming language such as FORTRAN, COBOL, or Pascal, an object oriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java, JavaScript, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, Object Pascal, or the like, artificial intelligence languages such as Prolog, a real-time embedded language such as Ada, or even more direct or simplified programming using ladder logic, an Assembler language, or directly programming using an appropriate machine language. For an example system, the Cent OS operating system and MSSQL and PostGRE SQL will be utilized. R will be used for data mining and statistical analysis

The software executed by the system 1 comprises computer program instructions that are executed by being provided to (loaded in) an executing device or component, which can include a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer or controller, or other programmable data processing apparatus or component, such that the instructions of the computer program, when executed, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. Hence, the computer program instructions are used to cause a series of operations to be performed on the executing device or component, or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus the steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in this disclosure. These steps or acts may be combined with operator or human implemented steps or acts and steps or acts provided by other components or apparatuses in order to carry out any number of example embodiments of the invention.

The flowcharts and/or block diagrams and/or the example screen shots provided in the drawings illustrate example architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various example embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that makes up the software, and thus which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures.

For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Some of the uses of the system and methodology include, but are not limited to, using the FTC to generate output to further the understanding, forecasting, and/or confirm (derived or actual): aircraft performance, aircraft comparisons, flight log entries, flight charges, usage pattern & pattern variations, industry trends, geographic/in-state usage, invoices, fuel or technical stop requirements, enplanements, aircraft values and market data, and verify regulatory and other procedural compliance (such as compliance with FAA regulations, manufacturer procedures, airport procedures, maintenance procedures, etc.), among other uses. The system can use reported flight information that was reported by various personnel (pilots, maintenance personnel, managers, etc.) that can contain actual reported, recorded, or otherwise preserved flight information (logs, travel reports, start/stop/layover times, etc.) some of which may or may not be accurate, and that could, in at least some cases, be falsified or otherwise may be erroneous, The system can use projected flight information for a proposed or hypothetical flight(s) which is information like that of the reported flight information that is hypothetical, estimated, historical, or otherwise not based on an actual, specific flight. This information can be used to compare against corresponding information derived by the system to validate or invalidate the reported information, for example. The method could also be used to analyze usage trends such as longer trip or shorter trips becoming the norm to drive potential business opportunities in representing aircraft owners, whose usage indicates they need larger and/or longer range aircraft or smaller and/or shorter range aircraft.

The FTC, for additional verification of the AM Data; will also generate flight time estimates based upon internal algorithms and aircraft performance while adjusting for historic winds and even other weather phenomena. The flow charts of FIGS. 2-9, discussed below, are examples of calculations that the system 1 provides utilizing the AM data and data from the other internal and external databases to derive or otherwise calculate flight information for reporting to users of the system 1.

FIG. 2 shows the steps taken for the identification of specific flight time information for the Target Trip in the AM Data on a specifically identified date and time for verification and further comparison. In this case, the initial query trip data for the flight time of a Target Trip is input 201 to the system, the AM Data is accessed 202, and the system returns the flight time of the Target Trip 203.

FIG. 3 shows the steps taken to compare the flight time from the Target Aircraft with the flight time on the same route of the same aircraft types (make and model) and note any differences. In this case the initial query trip data for the flight time of a Target Trip is input 301 to the system, the AM Data is searched for the Same Trip 302, and the system returns the flight times of a same aircraft type 303.

FIG. 4 shows the steps taken to compare the flight time from the Target Trip with the flight time of similar trips (departure airport and/or arrival airport in close proximity to Target Aircraft departure airport and/or arrival airport) on the same aircraft type (make and model) and note any differences. In this case the initial query trip data for the flight time of a Target Trip is input 401 to the system, the AM Data is searched for a similar trip 402, and the system returns the flight time of a same aircraft type 403.

FIG. 5 shows the steps taken to compare the flight time from the Target Aircraft with the flight time of the Same Trip with an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities (competitive aircraft). In this case the initial query trip data for the flight time of a Target Trip is input 501 to the system, the AM Data is searched for the Same Trip 502, and the system returns the flight time of a similar competitor aircraft type 503.

FIG. 6 shows the steps taken to compare the actual or reported flight time from the Target Aircraft with the flight time of a similar trip (departure airport and/or arrival airport in close proximity to Target Aircraft departure airport and/or arrival airport) with an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities (competitive aircraft). In this case the initial query trip data for the flight time of a Target Trip is input 601 to the system, the AM Data is searched for a similar trip 602, and the system returns the flight time of a similar competitor aircraft type 603.

FIG. 7 shows the steps taken to compare all reported and/or actual data on flight times gathered in FIGS. 2-6 (i.e. flight time for same aircraft on same flights, flight time for same aircraft on similar flights, flight time for different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on Same Trips, and flight time for different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on similar flights), and highlight any statistically significant differences in the flight times. In this example case the database is searched 701, the AM Data is compared and analyzed for the Same Trip 702, and the system returns statistical significant differences of flight times 703.

FIG. 8 shows the steps taken to compare all data on flight times gathered in FIGS. 2-6 (i.e. flight time for same aircraft on same flights, flight time for same aircraft on similar flights, flight time for different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on Same Trips, and flight time for different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on similar flights), and produce a listing of aircraft that best suits client's needs based on this historical information. In this case, the database is searched 801, the AM Data and derived historical data is compared and analyzed for comparison to clients' needs 802, and the system returns listing of best aircraft for clients' needs 803.

FIG. 9 shows the steps taken calculate the precise time aircraft spend in each geographic location (state or county) for auditing and reporting purposes. In this case the AM Data is searched 901, the AM Data is analyzed to determine specific aircraft exact geographic locations at specific times 902, and the system returns listing of aircraft location at specific times 903.

Aircraft Performance:

Shown in FIG. 10 is a representation of the AM Data, combined with any other applicable data available, of the flight path of an aircraft departing a specific airport. This query will show how competitive aircraft perform (such as the climb shown in this figure) within certain airspace restrictions. This will be used to understand if better climb performance will be reduced or eliminated by Air Traffic Control limitations.

The tables of FIGS. 11-14, 15A, and 16-17 described below, show example calculation results that can be used and reported by the system in the practice of the disclosed methodology.

Flight Log Entries:

FIG. 11 shows a table with Flight Log entries and the comparisons made to the AM Data to verify flight time, subsequent variations between the Flight Log and AM Data as well as the road nights, duty hours and duty days calculated based on the AM Data.

Flight Charges:

As shown in FIG. 12, the FTC will compare the AM Data with invoices based on flight charges to find the Target Trip and analyze the variances, if any.

Aircraft Comparisons:

As shown in FIG. 13, the analysis will include statistical operations to compare same, similar or competitive aircraft types to validate (or invalidate) the findings. The FTC will also analyze the same & comparable types on the Same Trip and similar trips for comparison.

Usage Patterns & Pattern Variations:

As shown in FIG. 14, a table representing partial results from the analysis of travel patterns, airports used (or not used), regions frequented, and variations in these usage patterns is calculated. These patterns will be combined with transactional data to forecast changes in ownership among other things.

Geographic/In-State/Airport Usage:

As shown in FIGS. 15, and 15A, by way of a graphic representation (FIG. 15) and a table (FIG. 15A) the flight time in and over a specific geographic area, calendar days within the geographic area, value of aircraft during the time in the geographic area, percentage of total annual usage of the aircraft and ground time within a certain geographic area, state or airport, such as within a state's boundaries. The graphic representation of FIG. 15 could be provided in a report or other display output by the system, where desired.

Enplanements:

As shown in FIG. 16, a table is calculated showing data concerning a specific airports enplanements and passenger loads.

Invoices:

As shown in FIG. 17, a table with data used to compare invoices that involve aircraft flight time and compare aircraft performance is also calculated.

Fuel or Technical Stop Requirements:

As shown in FIG. 18, a graphic illustration of the results of analysis is shown, with the graphic prepared utilizing logic that will identify aircraft or aircraft types that are used on trips where the aircraft or aircraft type necessitated a fuel or technical stop to reach the intended destination.

Operational or Regulatory Requirements:

As shown in FIG. 19, a graphic illustration representing the result of analysis to identify aircraft that may or may not be flown within defined requirements can be provided. The FTC's AM data will be combined with the data used by the FAA or other governing bodies, operators, or operations to define aviation procedures such as, but not limited to, proposed approaches, arrivals, departures, missed approaches, un-stabilized approaches, descent rates, minimum or maximum altitudes, airspace restrictions, crossing restrictions, aircraft limitations, vertical navigation, airport restrictions, course deviations, military operations areas and speed restrictions, obstacle clearance among other requirements and operating procedure adherence, and the system reporting can be tailored to support such uses. This methodology can also be used by manufacturers for product development and improvement purposes, and the reporting can be further tailored to support such uses. Additional data will include topographical and man-made obstacles that are pertinent to aviation operations. The example shows an aircraft that is required by regulations or company policy to be flying between the two dashed lines but was confirmed to be below the required minimum altitude prescribed for this approach to the runway. This would be an example of a violation of regulations or operational procedures. Hence, the system can be used to support determining compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, and can support proceedings to determine such compliance.

Aircraft Market Activity:

The FTC, for example, will also use AM Data combined with any other applicable data available, such as, but not limited to, Market Data, Transaction History, system historical data (derived, actual, or proposed), Accident Data, Global Production, etc. to understand, forecast, determine and analyze industry trends and proposals, and/or confirm the usage patterns of an aircraft, aircraft owner(s), aircraft type(s), categories and groupings of aircraft. The analysis will include, but not be limited to, trip speed, climb, cruise, descent, routes taken, trip lengths, regions frequented, fuel or technical stops, travel patterns, airports used (or not used), ATC influence, and variations in these usage patterns. The usage patterns will be analyzed and compared to historic/current patterns to forecast aircraft owners' activities such as but not limited to usage, transactions, market activity and aircraft values. This analysis will include statistical operations such as but not limited to data mining to validate the findings and confirm any differences in flight patterns by aircraft, aircraft type(s) and aircraft categories to create forecasting models.

Usage Example:

The Flight Time Comparator (FTC) is a software program or collection of programs, operating on associated computer hardware, designed to statistically analyze (including, but not limited to, such methods as data mining, Bayesian, swarm theory, chaos theory, regression, multiple regression, t-tests, analysis of variance (anova), or multivariate analysis of variance (manova)) any form of AM Data such as but not limited to: FAA, Air Traffic Control (ATC), satellite, global positioning system (GPS), aircraft situation display to industry (ASDI), system wide information management (SWIM), ground surveillance or any other data sources for AM Data. The FTC will also combine this data with any other applicable data available (such as, but not limited to, passenger loads, aircraft performance data, airport data, navigational aids (navaids), aircraft values, aircraft transactions, market data, weather, and aviation procedures) to understand, forecast and/or confirm patterns, and determine trends, performance and usage/variations in usage of an aircraft, aircraft owner(s), aircraft type(s), categories or groups of aircraft or all aircraft.

The system will also be used to calculate the precise time aircraft spend in both flight and on the ground in each geographic location (for example state or county or airport) for auditing and reporting purposes. The system will determine if flights occurred during day time or night time hours, for example. The system will display the actual route of flight in both the vertical and horizontal plane, such as by using graphical representations that can be displayed or otherwise reported, to understand performance differences within the ATC system. The system will employ flight plan data, if available, for passenger loads or estimated passenger loads based on domestic segment fees submitted, or utilizing any other means of determining the number of passengers onboard. The system will also combine aircraft value data with aircraft owner data, including contact information, to derive the information desired.

The AM Data will be collected and can be stored locally by the system, where desired, to enable such data to be used to analyze aircraft performance during an evaluation and verification process. The AM Data may also be used to compare the specific Target Aircraft's performance to an aircraft of like size and capabilities manufactured by a competing manufacturer, to allow for practical comparisons of different aircraft for evaluation by clients or even manufacturers, such as for new product development.

A first step of the data collection and analysis process can be the identification of specific flight information for the Target Trip in the AM Data on a specifically identified date and time for verification and further comparison using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2.

Target Trip Example: Identifying a Specific Aircraft that Flew the Target Trip:

Initial Query: Target Trip departed Hanscom Field Airport (BED), Bedford, Mass. enroute to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami at 3:00 pm EDT on Oct. 12, 2012. The specific aircraft was a Citation V Ultra. The FAA Registration Number may or may not be known.

Example Query Results (Calculated and Reported by the FTC):

-   -   NXXXX: Serial Number 560-XXXX Citation V Ultra departed (BED)         for MIA at 9:00 am and arrived 2 hours 50 minutes later at 11:50         am. (Rejected as Target Trip. This was the wrong time of day to         be used as the Target Trip);     -   NXXXX: Serial Number 560-XXXX Citation V Ultra departed (BED)         for MIA at 3:00 pm and arrived 2 hours 55 minutes later at 5:55         pm. (Accepted as the Target Trip); and     -   NXXXX: Serial Number 560-XXXX Citation V Ultra departed (BED)         for MIA at 6:00 pm and arrived 2 hours 48 minutes later at 8:48         pm. (Rejected as Target Trip: This was the wrong time of day to         be the Target Trip).

The second step of the data collection and analysis process is to compare the flight time from the Target Aircraft with the flight time of the Same Trip on the same aircraft type (make and model) and note any differences. The FTC software accomplishes this by searching for the Same Trips conducted by the same aircraft type (make and model) to compare those flight times with the Target Aircraft's flight time using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3.

Example of a Same Trip on like aircraft: Hanscom Field Airport (BED), Bedford, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NXXXX and Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NYYYY.

Example Query Results: Includes the Rejected Trips from First Query:

-   -   NXXXX: Serial Number 560-XXXX Citation V Ultra departed (BED)         for MIA at 9:00 am and arrived 2 hours 50 minutes later at 11:50         am. (This was the wrong time of day to be the Target Trip).     -   NXXXX: Serial Number 560-XXXX Citation V Ultra departed (BED)         for MIA at 6:00 pm and arrived 2 hours 48 minutes later at 8:48         pm. (Rejected as Target trip: This was the wrong time of day to         be the Target Trip)

The third step of the data collection and analysis process is to compare the flight time from the Target Trip with the flight time of similar trips (departure airport and/or arrival airport in close proximity to Target Aircraft departure airport and/or arrival airport) on the same aircraft type (make and model) and note any differences. The FTC software accomplishes this by searching for the most similar trips on the same aircraft type (make and model) to compare those flight times with the Target Aircraft's flight time using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4.

Target Trip: Flight time=2 hours 55 minutes.

Identical trip: Mean flight time=2 hours 49 minutes or (2 hours 48 minutes+2 hours 50 minutes divided by 2).

Since flight time varies due to many variables, the FTC system is designed to identify potential over-billings. In this example, there is a potential over-billing of 6 minutes or 1/10th of one hour.

Example of a similar trip on like aircraft: Hanscom Field Airport (BED), Bedford, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NXXXX and Logan International Aircraft (BOS), East Boston, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NYYYY.

The fourth step of the data collection and analysis process is to compare the flight time from the Target Aircraft with the flight time of the Same Trip with an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities manufactured by a competing manufacturer. The FTC software accomplishes this by searching for the Same Trips conducted by an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities manufactured by a competing manufacturer to compare those flight times with the Target Aircraft's flight time using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5.

Example of a Same Trip on similar aircraft: Hanscom Field Airport (BED), Bedford, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NXXXX and Learjet 40 FAA Registration Number NZZZZ.

The fifth step of the data collection and analysis process is to compare the flight time of the Target Aircraft with the flight time of a similar trip (departure airport and/or arrival airport in close proximity to Target Aircraft departure airport and/or arrival airport) with an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities manufactured by a competing manufacturer. The FTC software accomplishes this by searching for similar trips (departure airport and/or arrival airport in close proximity to Target Aircraft departure airport and/or arrival airport) conducted by an aircraft of similar size and performance capabilities manufactured by a competing manufacturer to compare those flight times with the Target Aircraft's flight time using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6.

Example of a similar trip on similar aircraft: Hanscom Field Airport (BED), Bedford, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Citation V Ultra FAA Registration Number NXXXX and Logan International Aircraft (BOS), East Boston, Mass. to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Fla. 13 Oct. 2012, Learjet 40 FAA Registration Number NZZZZ.

The sixth step of the data collection and analysis process is to compare all data on flight times gathered in steps one through five (i.e. flight time for same aircraft on Same Trips, same aircraft on similar flights, different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on same flights and different (competitor) aircraft compared to Target Aircraft on similar flights) and highlight any statistical significant differences in the flight times using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7.

The seventh step of the data collection and analysis process is to input all data gathered in steps one through six into a software analysis program that would take such data and compare same to a client's stated needs to determine the best aircraft type, make and model to comply with such stated needs using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8.

The eighth step of the data collection and analysis process is to input all data gathered in steps two through six into a software analysis program that would compute the specific geographic location of the aircraft during a specific time period using the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 9.

Finally, all of any of the calculated (derived) information and other information used by the system can be preserved in a database for preserving historical information that can be used for the trend and market analysis, among others, and for determining desired modifications, improvements, and other updates to routes, aircraft, airports, etc. based on the historical information and determined trends.

Many other example embodiments can be provided through various combinations of the above described features. Although the embodiments described hereinabove use specific examples and alternatives, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional alternatives may be used and equivalents may be substituted for elements and/or steps described herein, without necessarily deviating from the intended scope of the application. Modifications may be necessary to adapt the embodiments to a particular situation or to particular needs without departing from the intended scope of the application. It is intended that the application not be limited to the particular example implementations and example embodiments described herein, but that the claims be given their broadest reasonable interpretation to cover all novel and non-obvious embodiments, literal or equivalent, disclosed or not, covered thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using a computer system comprising at least one computer and a storage device for storing a program for executing on said computer system for verifying reported or estimated aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of: the computer system executing instructions in said program to provide a user interface to said computer system for accepting aircraft and flight information from a user about an actual or proposed current flight along a route for a particular aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve aircraft information about the particular aircraft from a database storing information about a plurality of different aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve information about the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to calculate verification information for the current flight utilizing the retrieved information about the current flight and utilizing the retrieved aircraft information; and the computer system executing instructions in said program to generate a report utilizing said verification information configured to verify the actual or proposed flight for the particular aircraft.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said information about the current flight includes geographical information about the route of the current flight.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said information about the current flight includes weather information about the route of the current flight.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve previous flight information about flights of other aircraft similar to the particular aircraft along the route, wherein said calculated verification information is calculated using said previous flight information, and further wherein the report utilizing said verification information configured to verify the actual or proposed flight for the particular aircraft includes identification of discrepancies in information about the current flight.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said information about the current flight includes weather information about the route and also includes geographical information about the route of the current flight.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the report utilizing said verification information also includes information about discrepancies regarding at least one of the previous flights.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes identification of any discrepancies in the information reported about the current flight.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about flight time(s) for the current flight over the route of the current flight.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes predictions of flight information for future flights.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about discrepancies in one or more logs reported regarding the current flight.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said information about the current flight includes standard operating procedures pertinent for the current flight.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said information about the current flight includes regulations pertinent to the current flight.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said information about the current flight includes data generated during the current flight about the current flight.
 14. A method of using a computer system comprising at least one computer and a storage device for storing a program for executing on said computer system for verifying reported or estimated aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of: the computer system executing instructions in said program to provide a user interface to said computer system for accepting aircraft and flight information from a user about an actual or proposed current flight along a route for a particular aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve aircraft information about the particular aircraft from a database storing information about a plurality of different aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve information about the current flight including geographical and/or weather information about the route for the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve flight information about the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to calculate verification information for the current flight utilizing the retrieved information about the current flight including the geographical and/or weather information, and utilizing the retrieved aircraft information; and the computer system executing instructions in said program to generate a report utilizing said verification information configured to verify the actual or proposed flight for the particular aircraft.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve previous flight information about flights of other aircraft similar to the particular aircraft along the route, wherein said calculated verification information is calculated using said previous flight information, and further wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes identification of any discrepancies in the information reported about the current flight.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about discrepancies reported regarding the current flight and/or information about discrepancies regarding at least one of the previous flights.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes identification of discrepancies in the information reported about the current flight.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about flight time(s) for the current flight over the route of the current flight.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about discrepancies in one or more logs reported regarding the current flight.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes predictions of flight information for future flights.
 21. The method of claim 14, wherein said retrieved information about the current flight includes standard operating procedures pertinent for the current flight.
 22. The method of claim 14, wherein said retrieved information about the current flight includes regulations pertinent to the current flight.
 23. The method of claim 14, wherein said retrieved information about the current flight includes data generated during the current flight about the current flight.
 24. A method of using a computer system comprising at least one computer and a storage device for storing a program for executing on said computer system for verifying reported or estimated aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of: the computer system executing instructions in said program to provide a user interface to said computer system for accepting aircraft and flight information from a user about an actual or proposed current flight along a route for a particular aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve aircraft information about the particular aircraft from a database storing information about a plurality of different aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve geographical and/or weather information about the route for the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve information about the current flight including standard operating procedures and/or regulations pertinent to the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to calculate verification information for the route for the current flight utilizing the retrieved geographical and/or weather information and utilizing the retrieved aircraft information as compared to the information about the current flight; and the computer system executing instructions in said program to generate a report utilizing said verification information configured to verify the actual or proposed flight for the particular aircraft, said report including identification of discrepancies in the information reported about the current flight.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve previous flight information about flights of other aircraft similar to the particular aircraft along the route, wherein said calculated verification information is calculated using said previous flight information.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about discrepancies reported regarding the current flight and/or information about discrepancies regarding at least one of the previous flights.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about flight time(s) for the current flight over the route.
 28. The method of claim 24, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes information about discrepancies in one or more logs reported regarding the current flight.
 29. The method of claim 24, wherein the report utilizing said verification information includes predictions of flight information for future flights.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said retrieved information about the current flight includes data generated during the current flight about aircraft movements occurring during the current flight.
 31. A method of using a computer system comprising at least one computer and a storage device for storing a program for executing on said computer system for verifying reported or estimated aircraft flight information, said method comprising the steps of: the computer system executing instructions in said program to provide a user interface to said computer system for accepting aircraft and flight information from a user about an actual or proposed current flight along a route for a particular aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve aircraft information about the particular aircraft from a database storing information about a plurality of different aircraft; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve geographical information about the route for the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve information about the current flight including standard operating procedures and/or regulations pertinent to the current flight, and also including data generated during the current flight about aircraft movements occurring during the current flight; the computer system executing instructions in said program to calculate verification information for the route for the current flight utilizing the retrieved geographical information and utilizing the retrieved aircraft information as compared to the retrieved information about the current flight, wherein said calculating utilizes one or more statistical methods; and the computer system executing instructions in said program to generate a report utilizing said verification information configured to verify the actual or proposed flight for the particular aircraft, said report including identification of discrepancies in the information about the current flight, wherein said discrepancies include discrepancies about flight time(s) and/or log entries and/or violations in the regulations and/or current operating procedures for the current flight over the route.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of the computer system executing instructions in said program to retrieve previous flight information about flights of other aircraft similar to the particular aircraft along the route, wherein said calculated verification information is calculated using said previous flight information, and wherein said report also includes information about discrepancies regarding at least one of the previous flights. 